ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION

E POLLUTION

THEORY

E-POLLUTION
SOURCES OF E-POLLUTION
E-waste or electronic waste is generated from

discarded computers
office electronic equipments
entertainment electronic device and components
mobile phones
display units (CRT,LCD,LED monitors & television sets)
refrigerator

Rapid change in technology, media (tapes, software, MP3) and falling prices have
resulted in a fast growth of electronic waste around the globe.
To handle this menace, we have technical solutions, but in most of the cases a legal
framework, a collection system, logistics and other services are required before a
technical solution can be applied.
Following is a list of e-waste and their sources:
Metal
Lead
Tin
Copper
Aluminium
Iron
Germanium
Silicon
Nickel
Lithium
Zinc
Gold

Source
Solder, CRT monitor glass, lead acid
battery, some formulations of PVC
Solder, coating on component leads
Copper wire, printed circuit board (PCB)
tracks, component leads
Electrolytic capacitor
Steel chassis, cases, fixings
Transistorized electronics (1950s-1960s)
Glass, transistor, ICs, PCB
Nickel cadmium batteries
Lithium ion batteries
Plating for steel parts
Connector plating (primarily in computer
equipments)

ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION

E POLLUTION

THEORY

EFFECTS OF E-POLLUTION
Metal
Americium
Mercury

Sulphur
PCBs
Cadmium

Effects
Carcinogenic (can cause cancer)
Sensory impairment, dermatitis, memory
loss,
Muscle weakness
Environmental effects in animals:
Death, reduced fertility, slower growth and
development
Liver damage, kidney damage, heart
damage, eye and throat irritation
Impaired development of nervous system,
thyroid problems, liver problems
When not properly recycled:
It leach into soil, harming microorganisms
and disrupting the soil ecosystem
Inhalation of cadmium: lungs and kidney
damage.